What is Industry Day?

Industry Day (TDI) is the most important conference held by the Federation of German Industries (BDI). It gives politicians, business representatives, academics and society at large a unique platform on which to engage in discussion on current domestic and foreign policy issues, entrepreneurial practice and economic analysis.

The BDI—Federation of German Industries – is the umbrella organisation of German industry and industry-related service providers. It represents 35 industry associations and more than 100,000 companies with a total of some eight million employees in Germany. 15 federal state agencies represent the interests of the business community at regional level.

For more information about Industry Day 2021, see here.

What are the issues?

Under the motto #ChoicingtheNew, Industry Day 2021 from 21 to 23 June is dedicated to transformation, innovation and major global projects such as the climate and sustainability targets. This is because 2021 is a year of decisions, and there are a wide range of options to choose from – both politically and technologically.

In her video speech, Federal Chancellor said she believed the motto was highly apt: “We have choices to make – and we must take responsibility for the paths we opt for when it comes to digitalisation, climate protection and other major challenges. This will always involve assessing the economic perspective, too.”

How can industry remain competitive?

As the Federal Chancellor sees it, one thing is certain: “In the long term, sound industrial policy means establishing the right framework and allowing entrepreneurial freedom to prevail within it.” She said it was vital to maintain the competitiveness of German industry – especially in connection with climate protection.

This is why, in addition to providing the appropriate compensation for industry as it faces up to international competition, the Federal Government is primarily relying on market-based instruments to achieve cost-efficient progress in the area of climate protection while maintaining technological neutrality. Here, carbon pricing is a particularly effective way of ensuring planning reliability for industry.

Another key point is the Federal Government’s investment in infrastructure, education and innovation, which amounted to some 90 billion euros in 2020; then there is the economic stimulus package in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, including investments worth around 50 billion euros in climate protection and digitalisation.

What is the state doing to tackle the coronavirus crisis?

According to Merkel, the fact that Germany has come through the coronavirus crisis “relatively unscathed” is not only due to the resilience of German industry: it has also ultimately been the result of an “enormous joint effort in which the Federal Government continues to play its part”, not least by providing “comprehensive state aid” to preserve companies as well as numerous jobs, she said. This has particularly included short-time work benefits, allowances for the months of November and December, bridging aids, the Economic Stabilisation Fund and tax relief.

A total of 107.1 billion euros (as of 15 June 2021) in economic aid has been approved since the start of the coronavirus crisis; in addition to this, short-time work benefits amount to some 32.3 billion euros. A full summary of coronavirus-related aid measures for companies is available from the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy.